The Porsche 918, the McLaren P1 and the Ferrari LaFerrari are still all about superlatives -- fastest, best handling, most exotic. But they also repurpose the latest technology to maximize the "dear lord" factor. They're redefining excess, not stamping it out.

How does a pre-eminent manufacturer of supercars follow up not just its most famous automobile but also one of the most iconic supercars ever made? Very carefully. The McLaren P1 will not only up the ante in the supercar performance game, it will make its F1 predecessor proud. The bar has been set incredibly high,...